By Hyon O’Brien
One of the most entertaining novels I read while growing up was ``The Three Musketeers” by Alexandre Dumas (1802-1870).
First published in 1844 in France, this historical fiction is set in the 17th century and recounts the adventures of a young man named d’Artagnan after he leaves his home to join the musketeers, a company of guards in the service of King Louis XIII. Eventually d’Artagnan befriends three of the most valiant musketeers, Athos, Porthos and Aramis, who live by the motto ``all for one, one for all.” This motto was meant to remind these three musketeers of their pledge and reinforce their unwavering loyalty to each other.
This motto came to my mind recently as I participated in the installation service of a new pastor and the launching of my Korean church in Miami as an officially recognized member of the Presbytery of Tropical Florida. For two long years, four Korean men with the same vision of planting a new church have toiled tirelessly to come to this point.
All for one purpose. Each one serving all. They had the same goal, and they maintained the clarity of their purpose until that goal was realized. I hope and pray that not only they but also the whole congregation continue to hold onto that vision of living for, loving, and serving one God for the common good as they daily experience the love of God for all.
As I look around, I see the applicability of this motto in many areas. Wouldn’t it be lovely if Gadhafi, Kim Jong-il, Castro and the host of other self-serving regime leaders of the world, govern their countries in the spirit of ``one for all”? I celebrate the fact that, in our human history, many good and selfless leaders have arisen in times of need to create a sense of community during a crisis. We sorely need more leaders like Lincoln, Gandhi and Churchill in this present age.
Wouldn’t it be ideal if everyone could seek to serve rather than to be served? I can find some good examples in my own family. Like most mothers, my late mother lived her entire life serving her family devotedly, never dreaming of following a self-seeking path. I know my brother-in-law’s eldest brother gave up his own regular education to support his six other siblings’ college education, living a life dedicated to bettering the condition of his brothers and sisters. I also know that all these benefited ones later on rewarded him with amazing love and respect accorded to a good man who fully deserved such in return.
How might this apply in the world of business? Do company heads think of only their material gain? Do they recognize the importance of their roles as a creator of well-being for their employees, and put it into practice? Do they realize that by showing their devotion to the welfare of their employees they may inspire the same kind of devotion in return?
What about the municipalities, counties, provinces and states? Do they (especially legislators representing particular regions) lobby for only for their constituents’ interests? Or can they grasp and hold onto the bigger picture of serving the whole community and country with compromises that look to the future?
Indeed, what President John F Kennedy so famously urged Americans in his inaugural speech on Jan. 20, 1961 is what we should think of and live by in each situation we are in: not only in the context of a nation but in every context that life brings us: ``Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country.”
So today and always, let’s ask ourselves that question before we complain, demand and whine about the current circumstances we are in. What can I do for my family? What can I do for my neighborhood? What can I do for my company? How can I help my city? What is needed for my country? What should I do to make a better world? Do I as one single person make a difference? Yes, yes, yes.
Imagine what a better place we’d be in if every single one of the 6.6 billion people on this earth would adopt an attitude of living ``one for all”_ we would be living in a more just, more equal, more peaceful, and a lot cleaner, quieter and safer world. So let’s get going, shall we? It is never too late.
I end this piece with another Kennedy quote: ``One person can make a difference, and every person should try.” Congratulations, Peace Corps, on the 50th anniversary of your founding. You have been making a real difference in the world during the past half a century. One Peace Corps for all humanity.
Hyon O'Brien is a former reference librarian now living in the United States. She can be reached at hyonobrien@gmail.com.
